NC teen drowns in river while fishing with friends

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Jaquan Bailey

NC teen drowns in river while fishing with friends

Jaquan Bailey

HAMLET, N.C. — A community is mourning the loss of a Richmond County teenager who investigators said drowned at Pee Dee River near Rockingham Saturday, according to WSOC-TV.

Jaquan Bailey, 17, of Hamlet, drowned while fishing with his friends, according to family members.

“He decided to jump in the water to cool off, said Velma Dawkins, who is Jaquan’s mother. “He got a cramp in his leg and went under the water.”

Dawkins said Jaquan’s friends tried to save him but weren’t able to pull him from the water. Jaquan drowned before help arrived.

“The last words he said to me were, ‘I love you, Mom,'” said Velma. “That was before he went to the river. I can’t believe that was the last time I would ever see my child.”

Dawkins said Jaquan would often get leg cramps, especially when he played football. Jaquan competed on the team at Richmond Senior High School, where his mother said he had just completed his sophomore year.

“His teammates are going to be out there on that field this upcoming season and they’re going to play for Jaquan,” said Alecia Graham, who is Jaquan’s aunt.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Nelson Funeral Home in Rockingham. Plans are not yet finalized.